THE ALAGO IKWEYI GBAYI DEVELOPMENT UNION’S FIRM RESPONSE TO THE PROPOSED CREATION OF A TIV CHIEFDOM IN IMOON, A PART AND PARCEL OF ALAGO LAND IN OBI LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, BY HIS EXCELLENCY, GOVERNOR ABDULLAHI A. SULE, OF NASARAWA STATE

1.0 INTRODUCTION

The attention of Alago Ikweyi Gbayi Development Association (AIGDU) has been drawn to a social media report that the Executive Governor of Nasarawa State, His Excellency, Engineer A.A. Sule received a visiting team of Tiv Development Association (TIDA), in September 2026, and said to them:

“But I knew I had to do my best, especially with the Alago communities where the Tiv people live, to ensure they accept it. I remember that anytime I brought the matter up, there is always a lot of big fireworks and then I would retract. Recently, I spoke with the Tor Tiv to help me appeal to the Osana of Keana, the Andoma of Doma, and the Emir of Lafia, so that even if we just go to Imoon, establish it there, and declare him the Tor Tiv of Nasarawa State in Imoon and give him a staff of office, that would be enough.”

We see the above quotation as a statement of intent of Governor A.A. Sule to establish a Tiv Chiefdom at IMOON with TOR TIV and Graded Staff of Office.

The statement calls for serious concern to view the age-long history of occupation, traditional rulership and ownership of Alago lands in Nasarawa State.

Alago people occupied their present locations around 1232 AD, playing Host and traditional rulership of the lands over the decades.

2.0 THE LOCATION OF IMOON

Imoon is a community of Tiv people who settled about 60 years ago at an outskirt of ADUDU and KANJE towns in Obi Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.

The population of tiv people in Imoon keeps increasing in high numbers since 2001 owing to the Tiv-Azara crisis which forced Tiv people to migrate from Azara and settle more in Imoon.

Agwatashi is an Alago Chiefdom, founded about 794 years ago.

3.0 THE QUESTION FOR ESTABLISHING A TIV CHIEFDOM IN ALAGO LAND

The physical location of Imoon is part and parcel of Alago Land. Imoon is not a Community of Aborigenes. Imoon is a Community of tiv people and do not belong to the indigenous tribes of Nasarawa State. Presently, Imoon is neither a Village Area nor a District; talk more of Chiefdom. Government does not create Chiefdom out of nothing but basically upgrades from existing Districts, in line with history of their founding by the first Arrivals, with their traditional ownership of the lands and area of jurisdiction passed down through successions with their preserved records of traditional inheritance.

Therefore, the Tiv people residing in Imoon are much much later arrivals who have not yet attained the status of even a Village Area. They do not have traditional ownership rights of the land and not entitled to a Village Area.

4.0 THE PROPOSED CREATION OF A TIV CHIEFDOM IN IMOON IS UNACCEPTABLE

With due respect to His Excellency, Engineer Abdullahi A. Sule, the Executive Governor of Nasarawa State, we wish to express our resentment at the proposed creation of a Tiv Chiefdom in Imoon, Obi Local Government Area, which is part and parcel of Alago land.

This matter goes beyond the creation of a traditional administrative structure. It touches on the historical identity of the Alago people, the recognition of traditional authority, the relationship between the Host Communities and Settlers, and the need to preserve peace and justice among the diverse ethnic groups in Nasarawa State.

We believe that any decision on this burning matter must take proper account of the history, traditional/customary rights and legitimate interests of the Alago people.

5.0 SETTLEMENT DOES NOT AUTOMATICALLY CONFER TRADITIONAL SOVEREIGNTY

We acknowledge that communities of different ethnic backgrounds can stay together in a Community, live together peacefully and contribute meaningfully to the social and economic development of their host communities.

However, residency within a community does not automatically confer a right to the Residents to obtain a separate traditional institution within the host community’s territory.

We therefore maintain that the status of settlers and the rights of the host communities must be carefully distinguished when discussing a proposal for establishment of a new traditional institution.

6.0 THE HISTORICAL AND TRADITIONAL INTERESTS OF THE ALAGO PEOPLE SHOULD BE RESPECTED

The Alago people have a distinct historical and cultural identity that deserves recognition and protection.

We would not accept any attempt that disregards the historical background, traditional institution and customary rights, as well as legitimate concerns of the Alago people in determining the future traditional ownership and leadership structure of their land.

Accordingly, we call on the Nasarawa State Government to perceive the historical, traditional, and other implications of the proposed Tiv Chiefdom in Imoon.

7.0 OUR POSITION IS FIRM, AND OUR COMMITMENT TO PEACE REMAINS UNWAVERING

Let us be clear that our objection to the proposal for creation of a Tiv Chiefdom in Imoon, a part and parcel of Alago land is guided by our strong belief for fairness to Host Communities who are the traditional owners of the land on one hand, and the settling communities on the other hand. This is to promote peaceful coexistence, mutual respect, and lawful protection of the rights of all citizens.

8.0 CONCLUSION

In conclusion, we respectfully call on His Excellency, Engineer Abdullahi Alhaji Sule, the Executive Governor of Nasarawa State to critically study our position paper with all the attention it deserves, and not consider the proposal for establishing a Tiv Chiefdom in Alago Land.

We encourage a meaningful tripartite consultation of the State Government, the Applicants and the Host Communities through the Paramount Traditional Rulers who are the Custodians of History, Culture and Traditions of the Area.

Thank you.

SIGNED :
This 14th day of October 2026

Hon. Mohammed Oshafu
(PresidentAIGDU)

For the protection of Alago heritage, respect for traditional institutions, and peaceful coexistence in Nasarawa State.